CELTIC’S chances of successfully rebuilding their squad this summer and winning their ninth Scottish title in a row next season will be significantly increased if they bring back their former head of recruitment John Park, ex-Parkhead scout Peter Houston last night claimed.
Park, who was responsible for signing, among others, Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama during the nine years that he spent as the head of football development at the Glasgow club, has been tipped to make a return to his old role in recent days.
The Scottish champions announced on Saturday that their head of recruitment Lee Congerton, who replaced the Scot two years ago, had joined their former manager Brendan Rodgers down at Leicester City.
Neil Lennon, whose team was beaten 2-0 by Rangers in their penultimate Ladbrokes Premiership match at Ibrox on Sunday, has admitted a major overhaul is required at Celtic this summer whether he is kept on as manager or not.
However, Houston, who spent eight months working for Celtic back in 2014 and helped them to bring in Stefan Johansen during that time, believes they can do that and extend their unprecedented spell of domestic dominance if they appoint Park.
The former Scotland assistant revealed their former talent spotter, whose signings made his employers vast profits when they were sold on, would be able to recommend some outstanding prospects straight away.
“I know that Celtic are going to lose a few players and a few players are going to move on,” said Houston. “It (the new head of recruitment) is an important decision and it has to be made fairly soon. You need time to see players.
“There will be a bank of players there, it just needs everything pulled together. It starts by getting the manager in place and then the manager has to make sure of his recruitment. Having been a manager, I know that recruitment is crucial. A manager who has somebody he can trust to go and find players for him is important.
“John brought in a lot of money to Celtic when he was head of the operation. I don’t think anybody could argue he did his job properly. But when a new manager comes in he obviously wants his own people there beside him.
“I think John understood that. He spoke to Peter (chief executive Lawwell) and they parted amicably. That allowed Brendan to bring in Lee Congerton. He has just moved to Leicester City. It will be interesting to see what happens. It is a big appointment.
“There are rumours about John going back. I don’t know if there is any truth to them. Personally speaking, I don’t think it would do them any harm at all getting John Park back.”
Houston added: “John does consultancy work for Maccabi Haifa and Vancouver Whitecaps now. He has kept himself busy watching games. I met him at a match not long ago and he was telling me that he had been in South America watching players.
“I have no doubt that if John was to go back into Celtic he would have a number of players lined up that he knows about and wouldn’t have to start from the very beginning.
“But Peter Lawwell and his board might have different thoughts about the road they want to go down. I just hope Celtic get the right person. Whoever they go for will certainly have tremendous back-up from the staff who are in there already.”
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